Rock Sea Bass
Centropristis philadelphica
Regions
Florida
Protected status
None
Also known as
—
Species Profile
Florida saltwater profile data (FWC). Availability and detail varies by species.
FWC
Size
Rarely more than 10 inches in length
Similar species
Bank sea bass, C. ocyurus (lack spot near middle of dorsal fin base and nape lacks scales) Size: Rarely more than 10 inches in length
Appearance
- Olive-bronze on back, fading to a lighter belly
- Black blotches form vertical bars on sides
- Dark black spot near middle of dorsal fin base
- Tip of lower jaw is purple
- Head and fins with bright blue and orange markings
- Adults have tail with three lobes and elongated dorsal filaments
- Top of head (nape) is fully-scaled
Habitat
Coastal waters over hard bottom areas; also found near sand or mud bottoms
Behavior
Spawn January through March. Young adults are predominantly female and transform into males as they grow older. The maximum size for rock sea bass is about 10 inches.
Additional information
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Sources
Image credit: © Diane Rome Peebles